I walk back into the café. Rain falls onto my uniform and sank to my already cold fur. Night two . . . just three more nights after this. I shake my head and grab my keys from my pocket, stuffing it into the keyhole and twisting it. I open it and walk in, putting my keys away. It was dark, as usual, and the only thing leading me through the halls is the light turned on in the office. I sigh and trot in, grabbing the tablet and turning it on. I take off my hat, feeling my hair fall from its grasp. I sit down and look at the clock watching it change from eleven fifty-nine to twelve a.m.
The phone rings suddenly. I jump, forgetting that the phone mare was going to leave me messages. “Ah . . . hello, hello!” Why does she repeat it? “Uh, see I told you your first night wouldn’t have been a problem! You’re a natural!” She murmured something, probably just talking to herself. “Um, by now I’m sure you’ve noticed the older models in the back room. Um, those were from the previous location. We just use them for parts now. The idea was to repair them . . .” She paused for a second. “Uh they even started retrofitting them with newer technology, but they were just so ugly, you know . . . and they smelled. Uh, so the company decided to go a whole new direction and make them super filly-friendly. Uh, those old animatronics shouldn’t be able to move, but if they do, the helmet should do the trick, so whatever.”
I checked the cameras and quickly started to wind the music box which was already almost out. Twilight had moved to one of party rooms, staring at the cameras, her eyes unblinking. I shivered a bit and quickly moved to the music box. The small white pony’s head was poking out of the box. Suddenly, static engulfed the screen, and when it came back on, a mangled looking pink pony with a missing eye, a blue mane, and an extra head popped onto the screen. I jump, nearly dropping the tablet. Who was that? I look at her for a second before it went out again and she was gone.
Phone Mare continued: “Uh . . . heh . . . I loved those old characters. Did you ever see Rainbow Dash? Oh wait, hold on . . . oh yeah Rainbow! Uh, listen, she was always a bit twitchy. The helmet might not work on Rainbow. If she reactivates for some reason, and you see at far end of the hallway, just flash the light at her a couple of times. Those older models always got disoriented with bright lights. It would cause some kind of system restart. Um, come to think of it, you might want to try that on any room where anything undesirable might be. It might hold them in place for a few seconds. That glitch might be in some of the newer models too.”
I listen intently while flicking through cameras. She sounds slightly jumpy. I mean, I am too, but she sounds as if a gun’s being held to her head. I shook my head wondering how that thought came to mind. I flash my light down the hallway and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Rainbow Dash standing there, her magenta eye burning into my skin. I quickly start flashing the light at her, making her gaze move away a bit, before she disappears. I sigh and try to calm my breathing as Phone Mare keeps talking.

“One more thing: don’t forget the music box. I’ll be honest, I never liked the puppet or Rarrionette thing . . . it’s always thinking . . . that it can go anywhere . . . I-I don’t think that helmet will fool it, so, just, don’t forget . . .” She paused for a second. “Anyway, I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Uh have a good night and talk to you tomorrow.” She hung up, leaving me in silence.
I hear some footsteps. Quickly, I start checking the vents and hallway. Nothing’s there. I’m shaking. I quickly start checking the cameras, seeing Posie near the vents, staring at the camera. I check the time seeing two o’clock sitting on the clock. I take a deep breath, and sit down, winding the music box. I’m gonna be fine. Nothing's gonna happen. I start flicking through the cameras. Surprise is near that balloon guy, Toy Twilight is near the vent, and Posie is in it staring at the camera. I sigh, winding the music box. Wait, I switch back to the Game Area and realize that the balloon thing isn’t there. My eyes widen a bit and I start checking the cameras. No, no, no, no, where is he!? I jump when I hear something in the vents. I turn to the left vent and see the balloon kid sitting there, staring at me. His green eyes staring at me. He’s probably just going to sit there, I think, and turn to another camera.
The night drags on, nothing really is really happening. That is until Toy Twilight starts climbing out of the vent. I quickly stuff my head into the helmet, and stare at her. She scans me, once, twice, three times, then, after she's satisfied, she turns and leaves. I let out a long breath and rip off the tight helmet. I shake my head a bit, and look back at the tabet. I check the show stage, where everyone’s gone. I sigh slightly and lay back. I’m fine, and I’m going to be fine for the rest of the week.
I look around, and see the old, faceless Twilight near the vents. Wait, why is she- oh right, the Phone Mare mentioned she would move around a bit. I sigh and shake my head. So many animatronics. I check the time quickly. Three thirty. Sighing, I switch back to the tablet. Just keep going, I’m going to be fine. I wind the music box some more. The pink pony was gone, and she now sat near the vents, waiting, probably for old Fluttershy to come out. Wait what!? I check the vents and feel my knees become weak when I see Fluttershy, her eye gone, and her face and mane ripped slightly, staring at the camera. When did she get there? I have no idea. I change back, muttering curses under my breath.

I put down the tablet, and flash my light at Rainbow who was obviously about to run towards me. She growled as kept flashing and finally left. Smiling slightly, I lay back and wait a bit. Then I check the vents. I flick on the light to the left one, seeing the balloon kid sitting there, staring at me. I jump and pull on my mask, waiting for him to leave. I hear some breathing before there are footsteps and I’m able to take off my mask again. My breathing is erratic and my head is pounding and feeling light. I shake it slightly and sit down, picking up the tablet. No one. No one’s around. I’m fine. I’m going to be fine. Right?

When I put the tablet down, my heart stops. Fluttershy stands in front of me, looking down on me, her fur looking scratchy and her eyes burning into my skull. I grab the helmet and stuff my head into it. She scans me carefully, staring closely at me as I hold my breath. She growls, shakes her head, then scans me again. After what feels like an hour to me, she finally gives up and leaves. I let out a deep breath and start breathing heavily. I turn to the clock. Four fifty. Just an hour left. One more hour. I keep telling myself that, sometimes saying it out loud when I have to flash my light at Rainbow.

The last hour seems to be the longest hour I’ve ever had to suffer through. Toy Twilight and Posie keep checking on me, and the mangled pony tries almost gets me when the alarm goes off. I feel myself shaking as I listen to the children cheer that I made it. I turn the alarm off and I walk to the entrance of the restaurant. I walk outside, feeling as if I’m about to pass out as I walk home.

Author's Note

Sorry if this is rushed/short, but I lost it and had to restart so I had to rush through it. I'll work on the third night sooooon!!